How to "call" a keypad combination?

[Brad]

Hello all,

Hoping someone can confirm if what I am trying to do, is even possible?

Mobile providers in these parts still allows one to enter a combination of numbers, separated by (*) and (#) symbols, to quickly check data balances etc., instead of using an app.

I am sure there is a correct term for that type of communication, since it’s been around for ages – but regardless – anyway to automate this?

In Shortcuts App, I tried simply inputting the *121*12345# as a “text” field, and then passed that on to the “call” action – but no joy. An error message pops up: “Conversion error: Call failed because Shortcuts couldn’t convert from Text to Phone number”

Can anyone think of a possible workaround?
Would be very convenient to trigger the above by voice, rather than having to remember the combination each time…

[sylumer]

Try entering it into the action called “phone number”.

[Brad]

Ah. Didn’t know about that action - my searching skills are clearly up the pole!

Will give it a go, thanks!

[Ben_Lincoln]

Without looking i think there is a way of formatting the initial dial so that it does that.

Also the fancy name for that kinda phone system is IVR it’s a surprisingly versatile system depending on vendor and implementation

[jchlu]

This is the way that works for me:

Johnny.

[Kaitlin]

What I’ve done is add the number to my contacts and then specify that in the ‘Send Message’ action, which seems to work too.